Pu’ili - Hawaiian Pu’ili - Hawaiian Rhythm SticksRhythm Sticks

Pu’ili - Hawaiian Rhythm Sticks

Rhythm sticks are great additions to any type of musical play with children. Found all over the world, most rhythm sticks are about 6 to 8 inches long and made of solid wood. Pu’ili - Hawaiian rhythm sticks - are a bit different. Here’s a simple craft where you can make and play your own version of this unique percussion instrument with recycled materials found around any home or classroom.

RSupplies Needed Our craft version uses the cardboard roll from paper towels and adds a few elements for decoration and durability.

Supplies you need are: 2 paper towel cardboard tubes Scissors

(Optional) Electrical or duct tape Construction paper and staples Stickers, markers or other materials for decoration

RMake Your Own Pu’ili This is such an easy craft. Simply cut slits in one side of the cardboard rolls and use electrical tape or duct tape to wrap the other (uncut) end. This will make your pu’ili more durable and indicate which side to hold as they are played.

Although it’s not traditional, you can decorate the cut side of your pu’ili craft using paint, markers, stickers or any other creative methods of personalizing your work.

When you’re done - it’s time to play!

Find more multicultural musical fun from Daria at dariamusic.com

TIP! Since these rhythm sticks are made of cardboard, they may not hold up for long-term play! If you enjoy this activity, it’s a good idea to save paper towel rolls and make several pairs.

What Are Pu’ili? Actual pu’ili sticks are made from lengths of bamboo, generally around 12 – 18” long. They are solid at one end and cut into numerous slats on the other end. When tapped together, they make a unique rattling noise as the individual pieces click against each other.

Used as part of the hula tradition, dancers have a pair of pu’ili sticks and tap them together in various positions, incorporating these moves into the overall choreography of the dance. You might be surprised to hear that

pu’ili are used as part of hula dance styles that are done

both while standing and while sitting, so feel free

to play these as you move or for use them

for music-making while seated.

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Make Your Own

Pu’ili - Hawaiian Pu’ili - Hawaiian Rhythm SticksRhythm Sticks

Pu’ili - Hawaiian Rhythm Sticks

Find more multicultural musical fun from Daria at dariamusic.com

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How To Play

There are lots of basic moves for playing these rhythm sticks that any child or adult can master right away. Try some of these easy suggestions:

- Hold one stick in your right hand in front of you. Tap with the left stick. - Hold one stick in your left hand in front of you. Tap with the right stick.

- Hold one stick in your right hand by your right shoulder. Tap with the left stick.- Hold one stick in your left hand by your left shoulder. Tap with the right stick.

- Tap the two wrapped ends together in front of you.

- (If seated at a desk or table) Tap the two wrapped ends on the desk or table in front of you. - (If seated on the ground) Tap the two wrapped ends on the ground in front of you.

- If standing, tap both sticks on the ground by your right toe. - If standing, tap both sticks on the ground by your left toe.

- Mix and match these moves. - Mix and match these moves in time with Hawaiian music. - Mix and match these moves in time with any of your favorite types of music.

RRhythm Games (While Standing And Moving) Once you’ve mastered the basic moves, you can also play with an adult, partner, friend or even a group. If you search pu’ili stick videos on Youtube or visit the Multicultural Kids Music Vid’s site (multikidsmusicvids.com), you’ll notice how dancers tap each other’s sticks. You can try similar moves or even choreograph a song or short dance segment.

WATCH TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN GROUPS PLAY PU’ILI HERE http://multikidsmusicvids.com/?p=738

RRhythm Games (While Sitting) If you sit across from a partner, pick out what moves you’d like to do (such as - let’s tap right, then tap left, then tap sticks in the middle) and give it a try. Make up your own patterns either with or without music.

If you’re seated in a circle with a group, you can try patterns such as this one: - Everyone taps both wrapped ends on the ground twice, then taps in front of themselves. - Everyone taps both wrapped ends on the ground twice, then reaches out to tap the sticks of their neighbors, both right and left.

Try it with music or without.

Get creative and have fun!

Hold one stick in your left hand in front of you. Tap with the right stick.

Tap the two wrapped endstogether in front of you.

Tap the two wrapped ends onthe ground in front of you.